NYer looking for a nice dinner for one in Manhattan Beach this week

[vvv03]

I am going to be in Southern California for a couple of days on business this week. One of the nights I will be staying at the Marriott on Parkview Avenue in Manhattan Beach. I have never been to LA before (okay, I drove through once briefly on my way to Huntington Beach, spotted Darva Conger (it was that long ago) and drove by a place called "Oh, My Nappy Hair Salon" (yes, we were in fact lost)) Anyway, I'm wondering if there are any decent places to eat and/or enjoy a nice cocktail near the hotel? All I know about LA (besides the aforementioned "visit") is what I learned watching "LA Story", which would lead me to believe that anything worse visiting will require a car. I'm hoping that some kind Los Angelinos will set me straight and tell me where to go to take in the sights and fill my belly.

Any ideas?

PS -- extra points if you have recommendations for Costa Mesa, too, since I will be there for a night as well.

Thank you in advance!

[Ringo Gato]

Strandhouse, at the foot of the Manhattan Beach Pier, or Cafe Pierre, just up the street on Manhattan Beach Blvd. may also be worth considering. Both are near the aforementioned MB Post.

[FoodObsessive]

Second both of these - Cafe Pierre for exceptional charcuterie and innovative French, Stand House for excellent but pricey food with a view of the beach. Note - at Strand House, go upstairs and ignore the line to the lounge downstairs.

[vvv03]

Hi guys, I went to Cafe Pierre and sat on the bar and had a lovely glass of wine and some charcuterie. It was perfect.

Really appreciate all the suggestions, so thank you!

[TailbackU]

MB Post is the only answer. It's a 5 minute cab ride from your hotel.

[vvv03]

Thanks! I won't have a car, so I will have to cab it.

[wienermobile]

MB Post in Manhattan Beach is one of the best restaurants in LA. Full bar too.
http://eatmbpost.com

[JAB]

Marche Moderne in Costa Mesa.

[FoodObsessive]

You did notice that he said Manhattan Beach, which means not thirty miles away?

[JAB]

Apparently, you didn't notice the extra points that I received for my Costa Mesa recommendation as requested by the OP above. You are now operating in the negative but, thanks for playing.

[TailbackU]

LOL

Game. Set. Match

[westsidegal]

so will you have a car or not?

if not, i'd start by asking if the hotel provides any kind of transportation (jitney) services.
if they do, tell us the constraints.